AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Gasoline Prices Continue to Rise

    HOUSTON--Jan. 10, 2003--Higher wholesale prices have transformed into higher prices at the pumps, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by AAA Texas. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
    The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve fuel is $1.42 -- two cents higher than last week's average -- nearly 40 cents higher than last year's average. The Austin - San Marcos area edged out Corpus Christi with the least expensive fuel at $1.40 a gallon -- up more than three cents since a week ago. Corpus Christi showed the biggest hike -- up nearly five cents at $1.41 a gallon. Once again, Houston and Dallas top the list with the most expensive fuel averaging $1.43 a gallon -- up more than two cents in both cities. A year ago, Texans were paying $1.04 for a gallon of gas.
    "A pending showdown between the United States and Iraq coupled with unrest in Venezuela, have forced crude oil prices to move higher and motorists are feeling the brunt of it," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Hopefully, a meeting among oil producing countries scheduled for this weekend will result in an increase in production and help bring gas prices down in the coming weeks."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 AM, January 10, 2002:

Area                 Regular       Change            Record Price
----                 -------       ------            ------------
Austin - San Marcos  $1.400      + 3.3 cents       $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi       $1.408      + 4.5 cents       $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas               $1.425      + 2.2 cents       $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth            $1.417      + 2.0 cents       $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston              $1.427      + 2.4 cents       $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio          $1.408      + 2.8 cents       $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, LLC, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance, travel agency, financial products, automotive products, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.